Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius (26 April 121-17 March 180) was the Emperor of the Roman Empire from 169 to 17 March 180, succeeding Antoninus Pius and preceding Commodus.

Biography
Marcus Aurelius was born on 26 April 121 to Marcus Annius Verus, a praetor of the Roman Empire. He was the adoptive brother of Lucius Verus, and in 161 he became the co-emperor with Lucius Verus, and during their joint rule the powerful Parthian Empire was devastated by a Roman invasion. In 164, Avidius Cassius sacked Ctesiphon, their capital. In 169, Lucius Verus died, leaving Marcus as the sole emperor. During his rule, he also fought in the Marcomannic Wars against the Quadi, Marcomanni, and Sarmatians, and in 175 he put down Avidius Cassius' rebellion in Aegyptus and Roman Syria. Marcus Aurelius died on 17 March 180 in Vindobona, possibly being killed by his own son Commodus, who was upset at his father's wishes for him not to rule.